Latest news with #ParvisKhansari
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'wonkiest' road where driving is 'impossible' and £5m investment to fix it
Following a major landslip caused by Storm Eunice, huge chunks of a road were broken up and cracked - pushing it 25 metres downhill and turning it into a playground for BMX enthusiasts A 'complex' mission to fix the UK's 'wonkiest' road has finally reopened, three years after a major incident. Huge chunks of the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire were broken up and cracked back in February 2022 due to a landslip caused by Storm Eunice. This occurs when the ground becomes so saturated with water following long periods of rain that the earth becomes heavier - and water forces apart grains of soil so they no longer lock together. The landslide, which moved the road 25 metres downhill, meant the road was 'impossible' to drive on - and quickly became a playground for BMX riders. But, fixing the road wasn't as exhilarating for the council - who had to wait several months until the road stopped moving before they could even establish the best way to rebuild it. After assessing the full extent of the incident, Wiltshire Council drew up plans on several options to repair the road and prevent the landslip from reoccurring. Octavius Infrastructure then commenced works in July last year. The mammoth task cost around £5 million (including the design, construction, land cost, risk allowance, and further repairs) and involved pouring 650 cubic metres of concrete and 2,370 bags of grout into the ground. 1,500 cubic metres of excavated ground was re-used in the project, while more than 600 plants were planted in the area. After 7,500 tonnes of stone and 25,000 person-hours of construction, the road finally reopened to the public on Wednesday, April 2. The repairs have been designed to last for around 120 years. "We're delighted that the B4069 Lyneham Banks has finally reopened after several years of hard work to both restore the road and introduce measures to prevent the land from slipping again," Parvis Khansari of Wiltshire Council said back in April. "The closure has had a real effect on the local community and we thank them for their patience and understanding during the work. "I'd also like to thank our officers and the team from Octavius Infrastructure, who have worked hard to deliver this project on time and on budget. This reopening marks a significant milestone, ensuring safer and more reliable journeys for all who use the road." Chris Hudson, Operations Director of Octavius' highways business, described the project as a 'challenge' - pointing out that around 90 metres of carriageway had been lost due to the landslip. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, tackling such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," he added. "But we are about bringing people together, so it was great to help reconnect communities affected by this lengthy road closure."
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Key milestone in historic town hall refurbishment
The refurbishment of a Grade II listed town hall has reached a key milestone. Construction hoarding around Trowbridge Town Hall is set to be removed on 28 April, having been in place since August 2023. The hall was built in 1887 and is being restored to continue its use as a community and arts venue, with improved facilities. The work is part of a £16m project with the money awarded to Wiltshire Council from the government's Future High Streets Fund. "While the building won't be open to the public until the summer, it's great to see this wonderful Grade II listed building coming back to life," said Parvis Khansari, Wiltshire Council corporate director. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The hoarding will be removed during the evenings of 28 - 30 April. Market Street and Silver Street will be closed to traffic each evening during the work but pedestrians will still have access. The taxi rank opposite the town hall will also be closed during the work. Renovations at the historic building include the addition of new lifts, recording studios and cafe and bar spaces. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Historic town hall decorated as scaffolding comes down Historic town hall's roof refurbishment begins Hundreds of homes to be built on historic airfield
BBC News
26-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Key milestone in Trowbridge Town Hall refurbishment
The refurbishment of a Grade II listed town hall has reached a key hoarding around Trowbridge Town Hall is set to be removed on 28 April, having been in place since August hall was built in 1887 and is being restored to continue its use as a community and arts venue, with improved facilities. The work is part of a £16m project with the money awarded to Wiltshire Council from the government's Future High Streets Fund."While the building won't be open to the public until the summer, it's great to see this wonderful Grade II listed building coming back to life," said Parvis Khansari, Wiltshire Council corporate director. The hoarding will be removed during the evenings of 28 - 30 April. Market Street and Silver Street will be closed to traffic each evening during the work but pedestrians will still have access. The taxi rank opposite the town hall will also be closed during the at the historic building include the addition of new lifts, recording studios and cafe and bar spaces.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shop gets closure order over illegal tobacco sales
A vape shop in Wilstshire has been issued with a second closure order after selling illegal tobacco. Number 7 Bank Street, Melksham, previously the Milksham Vape and Shop, was ordered to close for three months in December following a number of complaints, several seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes, plus test purchases of illegal products. Stock was also seized in November by police. When the business reopened on 10 March after the first order expired, Trading Standards officers were able to purchase two packs of counterfeit cigarettes, prompting the application for the latest closure order. The order was granted at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Friday. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Anybody who entered the premises unauthorised while the closure was in place could be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or fined, Wiltshire Council said. Parvis Khansari, from the council, said: "Our Trading Standards team is working very hard to tackle illegal sales in Wiltshire and this is an excellent result for the team, who have acted quickly to obtain another closure order for this business. "It is concerning and very disappointing that despite already being served and complying with the original closure order, the business is still facilitating sales of illegal tobacco on the premises." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ban disposable vapes to protect children - doctors 'Alarming' rise in strong illicit nicotine pouches How are the vaping rules changing? Wiltshire Council
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Swapped road signs confiscated and awaiting exchange
Road signs on the edge of Bradford on Avon that were swapped with a town over 60 miles away are being held while an exchange with Dorset local authorities is being organised. On Friday, March 21, the Wiltshire Times reported that the 'Welcome to Bradford on Avon' signs had been replaced with those of Camerton, a village in Somerset. Just two days later, on Sunday, March 23, it emerged that the signs had been swapped again, this time with one from much further afield, the sign reading 'Jurassic coast'. READ MORE: The switch 'baffled' local councils and residents alike and made national titles as news of the pranksters' stunt spread. Now, Wiltshire Council has said the signs have been moved to its Melksham depot, where it is being held while a swap with Dorset's authorities is arranged. Parvis Khansari, corporate director, Place, told the Times: 'The sign is currently being stored at our Melksham depot. 'We are in contact with Dorset Highways Department to arrange to exchange the road signs that were swapped.' At the time the sign swap was first reported, Bradford on Avon Town Council posted a photo on its Facebook page of a sign reading 'Camerton', where the 'Welcome to Bradford on Avon' is ordinarily located. Camerton is a village in the Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council area, approximately 11 miles from Bradford on Avon. A spokesperson for the town council confirmed the sign had been replaced later that day. However, two days later, the sign had been swapped again. Now, the sign appears to have been swapped with one from the Jurassic Coast, with a post on the Spotted in Bradford on Avon Facebook group reading: 'Yesterday Camerton... today Jurassic Coast...' The sign reads, 'Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site', and a blue ammonite is emblazoned above the text. A post from the afternoon of Monday, March 24, appears to reveal the location of the missing sign as Portland, a peninsula to the south of Weymouth. The post reads: 'Just incase anyone wondered where your signpost had gone.' Responding to the initial switch with Camerton, Parvis Khansari, corporate director for Place, said: "We are aware that several road signs around the Bradford on Avon area have been swapped overnight for signs from Camerton near Radstock. "We are in communication with Bath & North East Somerset Council in order to swap the signs back and it has also been reported to the police for further investigation. 'We are in communication with Bath & North East Somerset Council in order to swap the signs back and it has also been reported to the police for further investigation.' SEE ALSO: On Monday, March 24, B&NES Council told the Times they are also looking into the initial swap, and told the Wiltshire Times they had reported it to the police. Cllr Manda Rigby said: 'We know Camerton is not near Bradford on Avon. This was definitely not a sign put up by Bath & North East Somerset Council. 'We are as baffled as the town council. We have removed this sign and several others that appeared in the local area over the weekend and reported the matter to the police. 'If anyone sees incorrect signs like this in our area please report them to us using Fix My Street.'
